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Peach tree #869762

Asked May 23, 2024, 11:19 AM EDT

Hi. My peach tree has fruit but the leaves are curling up and twisting over. See attached photos. There are no bugs that i can see. Do you have any advice? (IT's a mature tree in Ashland, OR)

Jackson County Oregon

Expert Response

Peach leaf curl, also known as leaf curl, is a disease caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Peach leaf curl affects the blossoms, fruit, leaves, and shoots of peaches, ornamental flowering peaches, and nectarines, and is one of the most common disease problems for backyard gardeners growing these trees. The distorted, reddened foliage that it causes is easily seen in spring. When severe, the disease can reduce fruit production substantially.
Peaches are very popular fruit trees. They require adequate summer watering, deep and well-drained soils, high nitrogen fertility, fruit thinning, and pest control sprays to prevent peach leaf curl and brown rot.
Peach trees are short-lived trees (15-20 yr). Peaches (like nectarines) are self-fruitful (self-compatible), which means that they do not require a pollinizer tree. Plant trees 12×16 ft. to 18×18 ft. apart.
Calendar of Backyard Gardening Operations for Peaches
Winter Dormant Season
Spray trees with dormant oil to control scale.

Spray fixed copper to control peach leaf curl December 1 and February 1.

Prune out 50% of last year’s wood to thin the crop, insure good shoot growth and fruiting potential for future years.

Spring Bloom Season
Apply fungicide during bloom to prevent brown rot, which may require 1–3 sprays, depending on weather. Rainy periods require more spray.

Fertilize young trees monthly with high N fertilizer beginning April 1. Use 0.5 lb. urea or 25 lb. manure/appl/tree. Mature trees need 50% more. Water fertilizer in. 

Thin fruits to about 6" apart when marble-sized. Thinning reduces fruit numbers, but increases size, prevents limb breakage.

Summer Growing Season
Fertilize young trees monthly. Use 0.5 lb. urea or 25 lb. manure/tree/appl. Mature trees need 50% more. Water fertilizer in. If drip irrigated, do not exceed 1 oz. urea/emitter/mo.

Drip irrigate daily or sprinkler irrigate about every 3 weeks.

Maintain a weed free area around the base of the trees within 3' of the trunk with an organic mulch 3–4" deep.

Fall Harvest Season
Spray for shot hole fungus in November before first heavy rain; use fixed copper.

Fertilize and irrigate just after harvest.

At leaf fall, remove and destroy or compost leaves to prevent the spread of peach scab.

Remove mummies from tree.

Here are some publications you can read:

https://gardenerspath.com/plants/fruit-trees/how-grow-peach-trees/

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/files/2015/04/peaches_2015.pdf

Hope this helps!



Chris Rusch Replied June 13, 2024, 11:34 PM EDT

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